The following is a conversation I have via email earlier this week. I was copied in a long list with some other folks. The original email was sent from what I suspect to be a mom and pop trucking company. Their emails will be presented in ALL CAPS (Because thats how I got them). The text of the missives has not been altered.

To random list of email addresses: GAS OUT............... THE OIL INDUSTRY IS OUT OF CONTROL THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE. PLEASE PARTICIPATE AND SPREAD THE WORD. DO NOT BUY ANY KIND OF FUEL ON MAY 15TH. THIS IS A GAS OUT DAY SPREAD THE WORD ANY WAY YOU CAN, THIS WILL CAUSE A PINCH IN THE PROFITS OF THE OIL INDUSTY. THANKS

My Reply: In what way is the oil industry out of control and how does a single day of reduced profits followed by a day of expanded profits affect the oil industry? -Max

Their Response: WELL I GUESS YOU DO NOT PURCHASE 500 GALLONS OF FUEL EVERY OTHER DAY, AND IF THINK ABOUT IT FILL UP THE DAY BEFORE AND THEN AGAIN 4 DAYS LATER, DO YOU EVER COUNT THE AMOUNT OF SEMI TRUCKS ON THE ROAD??? NOW THINK ABOUT THAT ONE THE PRICE OF UNLEADED GAS IS NOW 4.33 PER GALLON IN SAN FRANCISCO I DON’T WANT TO PAY THAT MAX DO YOU??? IT IS A WAY TO SHOW WE ARE NOT HAPPY. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE THAT IS COOL, THANKS FOR READING THE MEMO.

My Reply: Yipes, 500 Gallons. That is a lot of fuel, indeed. I don't spend nearly that much, about $250.00 or so a week for the maintenance truck fleet. But I'm still not clear on how the oil industry is out of control or how a one day stoppage of consumption will affect them.

I own a property management company with a construction and maintenance unit, so I am quite empathetic to the notion of rising prices on key business costs. Cement for example has quadrupled in price in the last two years. Copper pipes have doubled (or tripled I've lost track).Copper, Cement, and Fuel are all the same in the sense that all three are currently in high demand world wide. The higher the demand the higher pressure on prices for those goods. So I would think that its only natural that pipe makers, cement makers, and fuel makers charge more for their products when they are in high demand (and relatively low supply). To suggest otherwise would be to say I shouldn't raise rents on my apartments when they are in high demand. (or conversely, to lower them when they are in low demand).

Increased costs are certainly a hindrance to business (especially us small business owners) but my business responds to these increased costs by passing the cost onto the consumer. If the customer is unwilling to pay those increased costs then my business is simply not profitable and I should look to get out of it. I don't believe there is any natural right that I have to demand that someone be forced to reduce their profits for the sake of preserving mine. That would be like saying that I'm more important than anyone else (or at least I'm more important than my suppliers)

On the issue of fuel specifically, Fuel costs are indeed high but It seems the causes have little to do with so called "profiteering" on the part of oil companies. Rather it seems that increased world wide demand, a general shortage of sweet crude supply, increased risks associated with the area's of the world richest in sweet crude, and an oppressive fuel tax scheme are to blame.

If we apply your short term boycott strategy then I think your best bet would be to refuse to pay the federal gas tax portion of your next fuel bill. Really let those Fed's know your fed up. (hah, a pun! I kill me). Of course not paying taxes is a great way to get yourself noticed by the wrong people. However, in a few years my business will be indeed not paying that Federal Fuel Tax, and getting away with it. Plans have already been set in our company to convert our fleet to electric. Not only are we saving on fuel and not paying the gas tax, we get another important benefit. We get a PR bump by being super earth friendly. While tree-hugging isn't my cup of tea, it is popular these days, we might as well cash in. In fact We'll probably find some government grant program to partially compensate for the out of pocket cost for the whole endeavor. Perhaps all electric isn't viable for you, but plug-in hybrid technology is (works on trains).

On the issue of your proposed boycott, I wonder... It seems that the stakeholder that would be the most cost affected is not the intended target of Big Oil but rather the station owner/operator. While companies like Exxon-Moble do operate their own stores many stores are chains or locally owned and are not oil producers themselves. Will this boycott not hurt them more than big oil? A one day stoppage of purchases will affect them more profoundly than their fuel provider who probably gets paid on a weekly, not daily basis. The oil producer isn't likely to notice even a blip in profits unless you go to a "No Gas Week".

Further, all retailers (regardless of ownership) are regulated very tightly on how much they can mark up the fuel. Which brings up two points. 1.) The retailer of gas really doesn't care if you buy gas at all. The big profit maker for the retailer is the sunglasses and junkfood sales, where the markups are unregulated and customarily huge. 2.) If all gas retail is so harshly regulated then one key reason why fuel is so expensive is that retailers are not free to compete. Which is a key reason you'll never see a "sale" on gas. Perhaps then a better direction for your outrage is towards your congressman.

I do want to participate. I'm all about letting those who wrong us feel our discomfort. But is No-Gas Day the way to go? Perhaps May 15th should be Write-Your-Congressmen-About-The-Oppressive-Fuel-Tax-And-Harsh-Regulatory-Environment-Day. What do you think?
-Max

That was yesterday, I'm still waiting to hear back.

Labels: big government, economics, opinion

There is a law that prevents any foreign person or entity from operating a domestic airline. I'm sure it's very well intentioned. We don't want the French or Chinese to buy up all our airlines. Nor would it be all that bright to have most domestic air service provided by an individual who may well hate Americans.

However... It should be my choice. If Aeroflot wants to give me non-stop service from Bert Mooney here in Butte to San Francisco International they should be allowed. I would find that a very compelling product. And the risks are mine. I'll take the risk that Aeroflot is in for the money and thus has a vested interest in my safe arrival.

Further... Freedom of the sky means greater peace. If Iran (just as an example) uses JFK as a hub for its substantial service provided to Americans then our Government is going to that much less likely to fabricate some reason to attack them. In the off chance Iran deserves a good ass whoopin' I would imagine that Americans would come out the wood work to neutralize any threat poised by Iran Air.

In any case... This law has ensnared Virgin Atlantic. Branson is a Brit and that disqualifies him from prodding us excellent service. I've never met Sir Branson (it's Sir, right?) but from everything I've heard I would imagine any airline he makes would be great. His intention (if I may be so bold as to tell you what Branson's intentions are) is to provide a safe, high-quality airline at whatever price point he thinks the market will bear. I doubt he has some evil scheme to position the UK for a first strike.

If you would like to see Virgin Atlantic air service and think the DOT should aprove them then write your Congressman, write your Senator, write your President and let them know!

Labels: airlines, big government, economics, global, opinion, politics

Pollution:
Ethanol blended fuels burn 20% cleaner. Which is good. However the real coup is that it removes the need for the additive MTBE. MTBE pollutes ground water, kills fish, corrodes fuel lines, makes fuel production more expensive, and reduces fuel efficiency. It was mandated as a way to decrease air pollution (which it kinda does); but was clearly a mistake.
1 point for Ethanol

Cost:
Ethanol adds 20 cents to the production cost of blended gasoline. The government gives a 51 cent a gallon tax break so that means a theoretical price reduction at the pump of 31 cents. Sound good. Oh except in order to meet the growing demand, corn production will need to ramp up even further. Corn subsidies will grow, and we will be taxes accordingly. So Its probably a wash cost wise. Well, that is unless you live in the corn belt and then its a boon. But I'm sure that the congressmen from those states aren't going to be influenced by all that money and will make the best decision for all Americans.
It's a tie - Still one point for Ethanol.

Fuel Supply Independence:
In my opinion not pissing off fuel producing countries is an excellent way to stabilize fuel supplies; but that being said, fuel source independence is nice. Since Ethanol is corn, and US policy is rigged for corn then its not a bad idea. Well not a bad idea until a massive crop disease hits corn and our entire fuel demand hits the open market again. Mitigating that; in the future ethanol might be replaced with cellulosic ethanol with can be made from a variety of things (read: non-volatile fuel market) such as sweet potatoes, switch grass and pineapple tops). Brazil is pretty much converted over to domestically produced ethanol. That probably helps out their trade balance immensely. Brazil deserves a whole post by itself.
So I'll call it 1/2 a point for a total of 1.5

Fuel Efficiency:
Uh oh! Ethanol will reduce fuel efficiency. An auto getting 20mpg will get 14.2mpg with an blended fuel. And that makes it more expensive per mile and increases the total pollution.
Minus two points for a total of -.5

So I guess ethanol isn't totally despicable. But why bother when biodesil our pure used vegetable oil is so cheap and easy? Here is a list new cars that can run on biodiesel. A dollar says that they are competitive with a similar class of hybrid on fuel efficiency and cheaper to buy. Not ot mention manlier.

Fun Ethanol Fact: the Model T could run on any mixture of gasoline or ethanol.

Factual information for this post is largely plagiarized from the Wall Street Journal. Which I recommend instead of watching the news.

Labels: economics, opinion, politics, science

I am an excellent purveyor of good advice and all other things wise. But perhaps a change of speed is order. Today: the lessons that can be learned from Rocky.

• Take three quick spins to make sure its cool to sit.
• You only have to listen when your in arms reach.
• Chewing on expensive personal electronics is a great stress reliever.
• If you have the mind of pigeon no one is going to hold you accountable.
• If your left alone its ok to vindictively destroy the belongings of others.
• Food tastes best when you snag from someone who is in the can.
• Unidentified gooey stuff that isn't for eating is for to rolling in.
• If you do it enough, people just assume you cant control your slobber.
• The best place to be is on the other side of the door.
• It never hurts to piss on your own feet.
• People are for sitting on.
• Pitifully ugly gets you the chicks.
• Crutches are freaky.
• Despite their protests cats like to be chewed on.
• If your worried, poop on the floor.
• If you don't want to; just pretend you didn't hear.
• Sharing an individual's attention is unacceptable.
• Bathing is a punishment.
• Chicks are strangely wierded out about being drooled on.
• Falling is a close substitute for sitting.
• Whining gets people out of bed.
• Being mounted by a rottweiler is very disturbing.
• Being cute gets you food.
• People who freak out are just covering for their deep desire to pet you.
• Regardless of what they want, its alright to make people ask you repeatedly.
• It's a waste of time to beg from vegetarians.
• Your the king when no one is watching.
• Every dandelion requires extensive examination.
• Asses are like dandelions.
• Children are not to be trusted.
• Facing the other way means no one can see you poop.

Labels: opinion, pets

On top of an active plate boundary is probably not the most ideal location for a major metropolitan area, Much less four (I'm counting Seattle, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area, and the Greater Los Angeles Area, your counting might differ). It's probably hypocritical of me to bash the Gulf States and not mention the doom and gloom that's eventually in store for some lucky location on the western seaboard. Though, at least the west coast can comfort its self in the notion that earthquakes aren't a yearly calamity.

Recently the active faults have given California a warning shot in the form of a mild 4.3-ish quake. Now is the time to check your earthquake kit; friends. If you have an earthquake policy make the payment on time this month.

Speaking of which, Yellowstone Park is up to some of its own unusual antics. Some normally clear water is getting discolored and normally dormant geysers are coming to life. Its going to be a mess when that volcano decides to be born. I hear FEMA loans are 3%. Yes! Construction money!

Here is a nifty USGS offering: Interactive map of California Earthquakes.

Well. That might have been the most pointless post ever.

Labels: California, earth science, opinion

I've decided I'm against corn. To much food comes from corn; corn syrup, corn oil, corn starch and all modified, partially-hydrogenated, high fructose variants. Also remember that your chicken was probably feed a corn mixture, as well as your feed-lotted cattle. So if i had to guess 70% of what's in the supermarket has corn in it.

Cob Corn... MMM Tasty. especially on the BBQ next a tri-tip; and then all messy with butter. I digress.

The other corn isn't probably all that good for you. Humans need something like 40 nutrients. Only a few can be found in corn. We need a wide variety of food sources. With so much food being from corn I don't think we are getting it. Further, dependence on a single food source really sucks when a crop disease springs up.

All this extra corn is processed corn. I think manufacturers choose it because its cheap filler. I think it's cheep because its heavily subsidized. So in a sense our tax dollars are being used to promote corn over other food stuffs. Are you as excited as I am about that possibility?

And then there is ethanol. Which is a whole post by it's self.

Amuse yourself with this experiment. Don't eat anything with corn, corn syrup, corn starch, corn oil, corn feed meat, dairy from corn feed livestock, or any other corn product for a week. I bet you'll eat something corn by accident.

Labels: economics, fitness, opinion, politics, science

Hurricane country is piss poor place for a house. By the way the Federal Government already has a map of the possible destruction that will be caused if Lake Okeechobee overflows but wont release it because it "might help terrorists". I just bet that FEMA will happily put your needs above national security concerns despite now being controlled by the Department Homeland Security. For those of you without sufficient sense to leave I want to wish you the best of luck for the 2006 Hurricane Season.

Labels: earth science, opinion, politics

I'm sure some of you are laboring under the notion that baseball is this great sport. I'll admit is has its points but it could use some help; and who better than me (someone entirely unfamiliar with baseball) to do the helping.

1st - put the name on the uniform. If you want encourage new viewers make it easy on them. I know that lots of teams have away jerseys with names, but come on! All names all the time.

Baseball needs to be converted from a 54 out game into a 54 minute game. Each side gets three minutes every inning. The pitcher has a 20 second pitch clock from the end of the last "action". The game clock would stop at the end of the action/play/pitch Batters would be simply s-o-l if they weren't ready when the pitch was thrown. The game clock would start when the pitch was thrown and stop when the pitcher got the ball again. Stealing, and checking base runners would also take time off, but you could only check a runner twice (after that it would be a license to steal) There would be three 90 second time outs in a game. A single pitch out would walk a batter instead of 4.

Base runners should be able to do more than run bases, If the runner wants to he should be able run from 1st to home to take out a catcher so that the guy coming from third scores. A batter (if he gets wood on the ball) should be able to also sprint over to third to help the runner from second. I suppose there would be no reason not to just charge the mound, but hey a few fast balls inside fixes that problem. In fact if a fast hitter can confound the outfielders there no reason why he cant just stay out there and cause trouble if they choose to let him be and continue the game (but I don't see why they would).

Rainouts are for wimps.

Baseball has developed some cool visuals over the years to help understand things like the nuances of pitching at batting but still... no reason to dally longer than 20 seconds between pitches. There is just only so much that can be said about ball two high and away. Some will say that it will burn out pitchers. Who cares? Athletes are an expensive but ultimately discardable commodity. Since the sacrifice play wouldn't be a huge sacrifice it would better to pitch to all the batters, regardless of how many steroids they take. And what makes baseball players so special. They should be allowed some real contact now and then. And I'm talking more that the freak event a catcher happens to be in the base line.

Labels: opinion, sports

Good news. There is a bill in the Senate to send us all a $100. It's a relief check for all the high prices were paying at the pumps. Whahoo. I was going to be homeless but now I've got enough money for 2.1 tanks of gas (gas is cheap here). Of course I'm sure the bureaucracy involved will cost $25 per check but hey. Oh, and SURPRISE! In the bill there is a portion of the bill that would allow drilling in AANWR, but I'm sure that's an oversight. Another potion of the bill will suspend federal gas taxes for 60 days. Which is cool. But why not say, Forever? If it's not so critical that we can go without for 60 days then, do we need it at all? Or how about a permanent 1/6 cut in the tax (60/365 is roughly 1/6)? Yeah! 3 cents/gallon (18 cents/gallon x 1/6)! What a budget breaker. Now I can afford a stamp every time I get gas! One might say that this is an attempt to bribe the US citizens into allowing drilling in national refuges. But I say look on the bright side. Perhaps this is a new trend. Perhaps from now on when the government tries to hose us at least they will send us $100 and a stamp first. Read more about this at http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/gascheck27.html Of course I'm way behind the ball on mentioning this but I don't have TV so sue me.

Labels: economics, opinion, politics

I'm currently filing my claim with the government. I have that disorder where you can't keep track of your stapler. I think I should be getting some kind of money from the government for this tragic handicap. Of course I'll be paper clipping the form together.

Labels: opinion

I had some California observations and predictions; and since this is my damn blog I'll share them all mixed together to make it hard to tell fact from fiction.

• The water infrastructure needs to be replaced wholesale very soon Californians will be asked to pass what might be the biggest bond measure ever. I predict utter disaster.
• At some point there will be no more money to continually replace HWY 1. Which is the only thing keeping California from being claimed by the ocean.
• Like every other government initiative this immigration reform nonsense will prove to be a poor idea, and it will hit California the hardest.
• Californians still seem to have an unhealthy aversion to driving a car older than 5 years. Be it leased or otherwise.
• Its going to be ass hot for a few months. Better to ride it out in an oasis like Butte MT.
• California will shortly change (not repeal) Prop 13 to allow a higher increases in the property taxes.
• Livermore's schools system will eventually implode under its own managerial incompetence. This while Livermore spent 12 million dollars on a face lift of 1st Street that none of the business owners like.
• Meter Maids: Next time your about to give some poor guy a 20 dollar parking ticket, ask: "What would Jesus do?".
• Urban and suburban Californians have all lost 50K on their homes in the last 6 months and don't know it. So those that bought in the last 6 months and had 100% financing are probably upside-down on it. It's OK just besure that you can make that payment and be ready to live there for 7 years.
• The women still wont give me the time of day.
• A big earthquake is coming and California is denial. Considering what has happened to Houston after Katrina I'd be surprised if somewhere like Phoenix is going to be too hospitable.
• Only the tax revenue from big-time Vegas style gambling can save the bloated government now.
• California: Worst Wal-Marts in the nation.
• Most Californians live like blissful automatons unaware that their liberties have been so horrifically curtailed.
• Californians aren't enjoying the movie star governor thing as much as they used too.
• With all the stations going Spanish Butte MT might now officially have better radio.
• Concord: Trust me, by the time you manage to shut down your airport so you can build some condos on that land your home market will suck so bad you'll ban new building (and have no airport).
• Pacific storms are only getting stronger as the world heats. Good luck with those levees.
• Hey! Turbo Diesels get comparable (if not better) gas-mileage than hybrids. Do the earth and yourself a favor and buy your self a sweet ride. Yah know, like one that someone else might want in 3 years when you want a new one.
• If you can leave; do so. The following states don't have income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income. Trust me it wont kill you to live elsewhere (but avoid Texas they have weird booze laws).
• The Mexican food is still excellent, and worth the trip.

Wow, more cathardic than I thought. I love you guys.

Labels: California, opinion

Someone at the Montana Standard Staff wanted my predictions on the SuperBowl. The following drivel is what they got.

The teams are largely the same. Both have top five QBs, Both have top 5 Run Defenses, Both have mediocre pass defenses, both have good RBs. The Seahawks led the league in sacks with 50, but the Steelers had 47. Both Teams are OK on 3rd down. The Seahawks beat 5 teams with winning records this year, the Steelers beat 6 (including playoffs) But then again, the extra Steeler victory came in their extra playoff game.

In favor of the Seahawks:
They've played one fewer game in the playoffs. Seattle is running better than Pittsburg in the playoffs. Mike Holmgren has been to and won a super bowl before. The Seahawks won their Division. The Seahwaks went 5-2 vs. opponents with winning records as opposed to 6-5 for the Steelers. Pittsburg didn't beat the Broncos in the AFC Conference Title Game as much as the Jake Plummer self-destructed with 4 turnovers.

In favor of the Steelers:
In the playoffs the Steelers are doing better with penalties and turnovers. The Steelers competed in a harder Division and a tougher Conference. The average Steeler victory came against a 8-8 opponent. The average Seahawk victory came against a 7-9 opponent.

The Deciding Factor:
The Steelers run the 3-4 Defense and the Seahawks run the more traditional 4-3. The Steelers have seen 4-3 defenses all year long and have proved themselves repeatedly. The Seahawks on the other hand have seen very few 3-4 defenses and have struggled against them.

Score: Steelers 24 Seahawks 13

If you have any sense you will bet your life savings on my advice alone.

Labels: opinion, sports

Our buddy Mr. York took us hunting this morning. We saw a mule deer buck with some does and I somehow ended up being the only one with the correct tag. So I shot at it and (in my retardation) blew a chunk out of its lower leg. Its clear that I'll need to purchase my own equipment. If only to have something to be familiar with.

Robert and I chased it about 5 miles. Near the end when it was clear that it was long gone I happened to stumble onto a little house in a ravine. It was such an odd place for a house that I didn't see it until I was almost in it. Of course I riled up the dog and drew out the owner. I think he had more feet than teeth, but its hard to say as I was more concerned with the revolver (357 perhaps) he had tucked in the waist band of his sweats. He was not happy that I was trespassing. Considering how far I had gone its quite possible that I was. We agreed that it was best I leave, quickly.

On the hike back I saw a giant Elk. I have a tag for one but I guess the wrong kind. It was moving pretty quickly so no shot would have been possible. Hot on its tail was a nice rancher lady. She was very disappointed that I hadn't killed anything. "We have way too many elk out here.". An amusing dichotomy in opinion.

York suggested that the buck will likely heal up and then regaled us with tales of giant three legged bucks. Robert suggests that their great healing is owed to there refusal to eat cheezy popcorn. Which sounds like crap to me. I didn't partake in his cheezy popcorn and I still have a wheeze from traipsing around after the damn thing.

Labels: culture, hunting, mood, opinion

I have an anecdote:

A nice older lady was checking me out at Wal-Mart. And by that I mean she was ringing up my purchases not as in she was scoping my goods. Near the end her lazy manager, draped over a cash register, spoke. "Doris" (or whatever her name was) "turn off your light for lunch.". Doris was delighted and promptly turned out her number light, indicating her lane was closed. She grumbled a bit about how late her lunch was coming. "Those great Wal-Mart labor practices..." I said. Doris chuckled, "Well its better than when i was worked at Safeway. They never gave me a lunch at all.".

I'm a firm believer that anecdotal evidence is the weakest kind, but it is amusing none the less. Perchance those boycotting Wal-Mart should instead not shop at Safeway.

Labels: culture, economics, opinion, politics